Net expenses for telecommunications, $7,875,000.

Mr. Chairman, this is a new account this year, but these are not new funds. This is strictly an accounting change. These amounts were previously appropriated in the account, "Supplies, Materials, Administrative Costs and Federal Tort Claims."

The total estimated FY '94 telecommunications costs for the House is $24,669,000. This estimate of $7,875,000 represents the net expenses of items that cannot be charged back to other accounts, such as AUDIX expansion, enhanced wiring systems, Cannon Building renovation wiring, etc. $16,794,000 is charged back to other accounts such as Member Allowances, Committees, etc. In addition, $4,000,000 is included for an upgrade to the System 85.

The House telephone system was installed six years ago employing three year old technology. Like any nine year old computer system, it now lacks the operational and cost benefits provided by current enhancements. Additionally, it has been announced that in 1995 a new North American Dialing Plan will be implemented nationally. This plan, coupled with constantly evolving international dialing arrangements, will require software modifications to enable calling from the House to all domestic and foreign locations.

The House System 85 now operates with five unique software developments that were installed to meet the communications needs of Members' offices. The integration of these distinct features to standard network software is a major undertaking in any House system upgrade. Therefore, it makes practical sense to upgrade the system software to the next generation at the same time software is modified to meet the dialing changes. The upgrade will lay the groundwork for providing improved toll fraud protection, desk top video, and malicious call trace capabilities.

The software upgrade allows for future hardware enhancements that provide for expanded growth, greater processing power, reduced switching space requirements, and lower maintenance costs. The intent is to slowly upgrade the system each year so that at the end of our formal ten year contract, we have an up to date system which does not require the expense and disruption of a full scale replacement.

NET EXPENSES FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS-APPROPRIATIONS, ACTUAL EXPENDITURES,

Mr. FAZIO. I have some questions to submit for the record. [Questions submitted for the record and responses follow:]

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

The Clerk's Office of Telecommunications as a member of the Legislative Branch Telecommunications Network (LBTN) Team has been a leader in the Common Services Procurement (CSP) of long distance Telephone service for the Legislative Branch.

They are also participants in the Video Teleconferencing Pilot Test program sponsored by the Science and Technology Committee under the auspices of the House Committee on Administration.

Question. I understand that the long distance telephone service contract for the House which also serves other Legislative Agencies is being recompeted.

a. What is the current status of that effort?

b. What savings were realized from this program in FY 1992 and what savings are estimated for FY 1993 and FY 1994?

Answer. a. The “Best and Final" proposals have been evaluated and a recommendation has been prepared by the Legislative Branch Evaluation Team, directed by William Kinter, Assistant Director of House Telecommunications. Upon approval by the Committee on House Administration and the Senate Rules Committee, the contract will be awarded for implementation in July, 1993.

b. Savings, when compared to FTS 2000, as a result of the joint Legislative procurement for wide area communications are:

Questions. Funds in the amount of $4 million are being requested to upgrade the telephone system.

a. Why is this necessary?

b. What will be accomplished?

Answer a. The House telephone system was contracted for in 1986, and like any seven year old computer, represents outdated technology. It is necessary to begin planning for the future to meet changes in the North American Dialing Plan, needs for enhanced communications security and fraud protection, and developing integration of voice, data, and video services.

b. We recommend a phased approach to upgrading the system rather than a full scale replacement when the AT&T contract expires in 1997. Such a massive change of hardware and software would be disruptive to the operations of the House, with inherent risk to the reliability and quality of the system. Therefore, a three phase approach is proposed:

i. Upgrade the software to meet requirements of the North American Dial Plan scheduled for implementation in 1995. (This new dial plan impacts our ability to complete long distance calls.) This step would also improve our system management capability and improve security.

2. A three year schedule to replace switchroom hardware and telephones, with equipment that provides increased processing power, efficiency of hardware components, and improved security through 100% digital phones. (It should be noted that negotiations with AT&T include financial trade-in incentives.)

3. A second upgrade of the software to maximize the utilization of the new hardware for voice, data, and video services.

Question. With respect to the Video Teleconferencing Pilot you are conducting: a. What is the current status?

b. How will the test be conducted?

c. What results are expected?

d. What specific funds are needed in FY 1994?

Answer a. The Task Force on Video Conference was established based on the successful utilization of this technology by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. The Task Force will evaluate usage of video conference by Committees and make an appropriate recommendation for the ongoing use of this service by the House. This office provided technical and operational support and coordination for the Committee on Science, Space and Technology videoconferences, and has been asked to provide the same service for the Task Force.

b. The test will be conducted using six predetermined committees. The Committee rooms will be wired for video conference connections, and minor room modifications for purposes of sound and lighting will be performed. At this time, there is no way to predict the volume of videoconferences that will be requested by each Committee. It, is therefore, difficult to determine personnel and equipment resources necessary to meet the requirements of each Committee. Therefore, we have conducted a competitive procurement to secure the resources of an integrator company to provide operational and installation support for each scheduled conference. We have purchased a minimal amount of equipment, and the integrator will provide additional equipment as may be necessary on a per conference basis. Each preselected Committee will be asked to provide a written evaluation of the service following each videoconference.

c. It is anticipated that after one year, a report will be submitted detailing the experiences and evaluations of such Committee in the test. The report will identify future applications, and make recommendations for future use. Information will also be provided identifying personnel and equipment resources needed to proceed. d. It is difficult to anticipate FY 1994 funding until we evaluate the results of the pilot. Our request includes $300,000, but if Committees quickly adopt this technology, that amount may be significantly low. However, it is recommended that Committees be charged for their use of video conference just as they are for other communications services. Under such an arrangement, this office would be responsible for the purchase of commonly shared equipment, but each Committee would pay a usage and line fee per videoconference.

Question. We note that technology has effectively merged voice and data communications and the Senate has recently merged its data communications staff into its telecommunications staff.

a. Is that an appropriate and timely thing for the House to do as well? b. If so, are there plans to do that? When?

Answer. a. We agree with the Committee's observation that technological developments continue to result in the merge of voice and data. With the introduction of videoconference, the integration of technologies continues. H.I.S. Communications Services and this office have worked closely for the past three years to implement services that send voice and data over the same House wiring system. Coordination for these services often requires vendors to coordinate their activities with both offices, often resulting in confusion for the Member office. H.I.S. and Telecommunications (OT) already share Procurement responsibilities and OT now includes H.I.S. charges to Members on the monthly telephone bill.

While this coordination is useful, it could be significantly improved by centralized communications management to eliminate duplication of efforts, enhance network security, and improve service to House offices. Such a reorganization would be especially useful for Wide Area communications which provide the voice, data, and perhaps soon, video connections between Members' Washington and district offices. Additionally, the anticipated upgrade of the System 85 telephone switch will provide further integration of voice and data services. Therefore, the time seems appropriate to move towards this merger, while we can do so with a proactive approach, rather than waiting and playing catch-up.

b. There are no immediate plans to take this step. But with voice and data Wide Area communications making up 39% of the Telecommunications budget, the House may best be served by a merger that assures no duplication of services or resources

in meeting Members' communications needs. A review of the recent Senate Plan indicates that such a merger can be effectively accomplished with minimal disruption, and without any degradation of available services.

Question. As an active participant in supporting the Architect and the LBTN Ream in the provision of Telecommunications for the Legislative Agencies:

a. What personnel resources are being utilized to support the LBTN Team and how much is anticipated in FY 1994?

b. In your opinion, has there been cooperation and beneficial results from the LBTN Team efforts?

Answer. a. During 1993, Telecommunications will contribute more than 20% of one staffer to the efforts of the LBTN Team. Our most significant contribution will be for the Common Services Procurement, anticipated to save the Legislative Branch more than $2.5 million per year.

b. There has been cooperation and beneficial results from the LBTN Team, especially in the area of information and experience exchange.

Question. For the record, update the savings made possible by the telephone switch and our service contracts.

Mr. ANDERSON. Mr. Chairman, I will submit the following pages from my statement for the record.

[The information follows:]

FURNITURE AND FURNISHINGS

For Furniture and Furnishings, $1,806,000. This appropriation funds the acquisition of furniture, carpets, draperies, lamps, file cabinets, and other furnishings which the Office of the Clerk provides the House office buildings and the House side of the Capitol. Also, funds are included for supplies, materials and tools used by the various shops operating under the Clerk's Department of Office Furnishings. The funds requested for FY '94 are budgeted as follows:

FURNITURE AND FURNISHINGS-APPROPRIATIONS, ACTUAL EXPENDITURES, UNEXPENDED BALANCES

STENOGRAPHIc Reporting of Committee HEARINGS

For Stenographic Reporting of Committee Hearings, $1,100,000. This request includes costs of stenographic services and transcripts covered by commercial reporting firms in connection with any meetings or hearings of a committee, including Standing Committees, Special and Select. We prefer to use our own House reporters but are unable to staff all hearings. This is the same level as appropriated in fiscal year 1992, land is an increase of $45,000 over the amount provided in fiscal 1993. STENOGRAPHIC REPORTING OF COMMITTEE HEARINGS-APPROPRIATIONS, ACTUAL EXPENDITURES,

For Reemployed Annuitants Reimbursement, $1,016,000. This is a reduction of $23,000 under the amount provided in the FY '93 appropriation bill. These funds are required to compensate the Civil Service Retirement Fund for an amount equal to the annuities paid employees who retired under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and then accepted House employment. The number employed has declined over the last two years. As of September 30, 1992, 43 were employed. As of September 30, 1990, there were 55, and 46 as of September 1991.

For Government Contributions, $132,543,000. The funds for this account are used to pay the Government's (or employers) share of various employee programs. It is estimated that for every dollar paid to an employee, the House will pay 27.91 cents for benefits. This increase, up from 26.25 cents for 1992, is attributable, in part, to the continuing shift in population from Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) to Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). As of December 31, 1992, 2,576